How food is produced, transported and purchased has changed dramatically over the last 50 years and can have a huge impact on the environment.

Food is increasingly air freighted around the world to the UK to feed our desire for food throughout the year despite the seasons. Transporting food by aeroplanes emits carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Air transport accounts for 1% of food miles but 11% of food miles CO2 emissions.

The distance food travels from the farm to your plate is known as food miles and to reduce this you can buy locally produced food instead. Other Benefits of buying local food

The way food is produced can also cause problems for the environment. Intensive farming methods use artificial fertilisers to add nutrients to the soil made using fossil fuels. The production of these fertilisers uses a lot of energy which releases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides both powerful greenhouse gases. Organic farming use natural methods to add nutrients to the soil such as manure or plant based fertilisers which do not release nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide during their production.

Eating less meat (especially beef) can also help to reduce climate change as rearing animals is energy intensive in the production of animal feed, transport to market and slaughter and the release of methane from flatulence and slurry (muck). The release of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and methane are all powerful greenhouse gases. We are not saying become vegetarian but eat less meat and good quality organically reared and locally produced where possible.

To reduce the problems associated with climate change and food, ENABLE has come up with this handy guide to follow

Buying UK grown food cuts down on food miles and buying fruit and vegetables in season tastes better and you look forward to buying food at certain times of the year

Buying food directly from the producer cuts down food miles considerably as food is grown in the local area and supports the local economy. Studies suggest that locally produced food boosts the local economy as much as 25% as profits stay in the local area. There are now regular farmers markets throughout Leicestershire, with at least one in every district.

There are also many farm shops, outlets, restaurants, cafes and pubs selling local produce. Go Leicestershire has lots of information on buying local food

The Leicestershire Produce Label is a new handy logo has been introduced to help consumers buy food that has been grown, reared or produced using locally grown ingredients.

Get locally produced organic fruit and vegetables delivered to your door which is often cheaper than buying from the supermarket as you are not paying those extra distribution costs. Organic produce is better for the environment as it uses more natural methods of production and avoids the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides which rely on fossil fuels for their manufacture and can pollute rivers and nearby land. Local box schemes can be found at Big Barn, just type in your postcode for details.

For the ultimate in local food try growing food in your back garden or rent an allotment. Allotments cost just 4p per day to rent from your local Borough or District Council. Find out more about allotments from the National Association of Allotments and Leisure or contact the Leicester and Leicestershire Allotments for All Officer Tel. 0116 222 0259 or email phowgill@gwll.org.uk

For tips on growing your own vegetables see the Royal Horticultural Society website

The LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque indicates that food is grown in an environmentally friendly way and that animal welfare standards are met.

Buying fair trade goods means that farmers in the developing world have been given a fair price for their goods and any profits are ploughed back to local communities to help with community projects and improve growing methods.

Plastic packaging is difficult to recycle meaning it is often dumped in landfill sites. It is made using oil a depleting natural resource and releases carbon dioxide during manufacturing. Buy loose to avoid packaging.

Glass milk bottles can be re-used 20 times before they are recycled so reduces the amount of waste produced from cartons and plastic bottles. See delivermilk to find out if milk can be delivered to your street.

Around 6.2 million tonnes of food waste ends up in landfill sites every year and as it rots down releases methane, a greenhouse gas so by not throwing away food you can help to reduce climate change and save money. See WRAP Love Food Hate Waste campaign for help with reducing food waste

By composting fruit and vegetable waste, tea bags, coffee grinds and egg shells you reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and produce a nutritional soil improver to use on your garden for free. Leicestershire County Council has tips on composting and discounted compost bins to buy